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Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Okay, Nation... so, we've solved the healthcare issue, overhauled Alberta's educational system, and set up the economy to succeed. Now, as the government of the future, it's time to figure out how to PAY for all this.

That's right... it's time to talk Tax Policy.

Even in the Perfect Alberta, we still have to find a way to PAY for our fantastic quality of life and standard of living... and that means taxes.

How should the people and businesses of Alberta be taxed? And at what levels?

What I want to hear about, specifically, includes issue like Corporate tax rates versus small business rates (and what constitutes a "small business")... personal income tax, and if we should even HAVE one... user fees for optional services, versus mandatory fees (aka "taxes") like the recently-departed Health Care Premiums... and yes, energy Royalties.

Should we have hospitality taxes, for attractions and accommodations? Energy taxes on things like gasoline and electricity? Taxes that only visitors pay, while residents are exempt?

It's all on the table, Nation. You decide: How does the Alberta of the future pay the bills?

We've seen the folly in the last year of paying the bills with a bank account that is overwhelmingly tied to a single sector of the economy... how do we secure our finances for the next generation, and beyond?

4 comments:

Jeff J.
said...

Eliminate income tax in favour of a sales tax. Not only will people keep more of their hard earned dollars, but the gov't will actually take in more money in taxes. Why should people be taxed on what they earn instead of what they spend? Seems extremely undemocratic.

Taxes should be on consumption, not on productivity.

Also, end the debate once and for all, no matter how much government's tax tobacco the health care costs FAR outweigh the income generated. And so, once and for all, if a person uses tobacco, they need to buy their own insurance for their health care. in the same vein, stop taxing tobacco, the gov't will be ahead of the game either way.

Of course there is another simple answer, Health care costs 40% of the current budget, if we privatized health care, we would save 40% of 23 Billion dollars this year alone...that sounds like a quick way to lower taxes to me.

As unpopular as it is. I think that an energy consumption tax would be a good thing. It would encourage conservation, while at the same time representing the very real cost of pollution that energy use (especially from fossil fuels) releases.

I think that graduated income tax is fair, and one of the best ways to balance the inevitable fact that large companies will use their disproportional power to profit from small employees.

I DON'T like a sales tax, because it discourages people, including visitors, from buying products here. If the borders weren't porous, they might work, but since people can shop in a neighboring province or state to avoid the tax, then they fail. In fact, they penalize the poor more, because they may lack the resources to shop outside. Whereas tax avoidance is something the rich are usually quite savvy about.

think income tax should be at 25% for low earners so the poor and 30% middle earners, and a top rate of 60% income, and those tht would argue a top rate that high would cause a brain drain, well it wont beacause if a billionaire is still making millions even after a 60% tax then their lifestyle is still MUCH better than the regular albertans. oh and no sales tax fair and progressive taxes only that redistribute wealth so as to pay for all the wonderful things that we at the moment cannot pay for.

Who Is The Enlightened Savage?

The Enlightened Savage (Joey Oberhoffner) is a 40 year-old, life-long Albertan with one foot in each of the private (small business owner) and public (provincial public service) sectors. He is a self-confessed political junkie/policy wonk, with a sometimes disturbing affinity for Montreal Smoked Meat, gadgets, and well-written television.

Joey began blogging in late 2006 under the nom de plume of "The Enlightened Savage", and rapidly became well-known as an even-handed analyst of municipal and provincial political issues. He offered in-studio commentary on CBC Radio One for Municipal Election Night 2007, did analysis for the 2010 Municipal Election and the 2011 Federal Election, and appeared in-studio on CityTV for analysis of the results on Provincial Election Night 2008.

Joey also writes at and is a founding contributor for CalgaryPolitics.com.

Hate-mail, love letters, and offers of support for his campaign to change politics for the better can be sent to amishbuggyracing (at) gmail (dot) com.

All opinions expressed on this blog are those of the author himself, and are not meant in any way to reflect the opinions of any organization for which he either works or volunteers.

Perfecting Alberta

Joey O's Policy Points

"This guy is obviously a raging leftist - how can he possibly call himself a conservative?"

THIS is how. Because the public policies I advocate for are conservative - and I don't have to support your chosen right-wing politician or pet issue to be allowed to use the name "conservative".

- Fixed Provincial Election Dates (I'm leaning towards the second Monday of May, every 4 years. Would VERY rarely come into contact with a late Easter, otherwise it's smooth sailing...)

- Full Disclosure of Donors and their Contribution amounts at all levels of elected office, including internal party races, BEFORE the votes are cast - we deserve to know who's funding the war chests of our would-be leaders. And none of this "numbered corporation" crap either.

- A fully funded and independent Auditor General

- Economic diversification. Even a five-year old knows it's a bad idea to carry all your eggs in one basket.

- Making Alberta's Oilsands the standard bearer for environmental sensitivity while also making them the most sought-after business opportunity for large and mid-size operators in North America.

- Getting our energy products to market and getting a global price for them by working with our neighbours, rather than throwing tantrums and accomplishing nothing.

- Promotion of eco-tourism as a way to showcase the unique character of Alberta's landscape and people and boosting local economies.

- Capping government program spending increases from year to year at the rate of inflation plus population growth.

- Making the MLA "Tax-Free Allowance" just that - an allowance. Anything that isn't spent on expenses related to their work (e.g. rent in Edmonton, vehicular or transportation costs, hospitality) should be returned to the provincial treasury, or taxed as income.

- More recorded votes and fewer in camera sessions at all levels of government. The work of our governments should be public and indexable unless there is a clear reason why it shouldn't be.